Black Caps Unveil ODI and T20 Squads for India Tour Ahead of T20 World Cup

Breaking: New Zealand Names 15-Man Squad for India Tour 2026 – ODI adn T20 Series Announced

The Black Caps unveiled their three‑ODI and five‑T20I lineup for a high‑stakes January 2026 tour of India. The squad blends seasoned veterans with emerging talents as New Zealand eyes a productive run ahead of the global T20 event.

In a clear split of leadership roles, Michael Bracewell will captain the ODI side, while Mitchell Santner takes charge of the T20I group. The announcement confirms a camp that prioritizes balance, depth, and exposure to Indian conditions.

The schedule centers on a three‑match ODI series and a five‑game T20I set, with the first ODI slated for january 11 and the T20I series slated to begin later in the month. Among the notable inclusions are two debutants-Jayden Lennox and Christian Clerk-who earn their first international calls in both formats.

Injuries have trimmed options for selection, underscoring the pressure on this tour as New Zealand prepares for the T20 World Cup, to be staged by India and Sri Lanka on Febuary 7. The Black caps will confirm their final World Cup squad after the completion of the T20 series.

ODI Squad Details

The 15‑man ODI squad is headed by Bracewell and includes: Adi Ashok, Christian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Zach Foulkes, Mitch Haye, Kyle jamieson, Nick Kelly, Jayden Lennox, Daryl Mitchell, Henty Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Michael Ray, and Will Young.

T20I squad Details

Led by Santner, the five‑game T20I unit features: Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zach Foulkes, Matt Henty, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, and Ish Sodhi.

Key Context and Implications

The tour serves as a crucial readiness phase for the Kiwis ahead of the T20 World Cup, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka.National selectors have signaled a willingness to blend established performers with young talents to build experience in pressure settings.

Indications from India’s selection cycle show Sanju Samson replacing Shubman Gill in the hosts’ T20 squad, with Ishan Kishan recalled to the lineup. These shifts contribute to a broader conversation on balancing form, squad depth, and strategic planning ahead of the global event.

Dates at a Glance

Format	Matches	Start Date	Notes
ODI	3	January 11	Opening match against India
T20I	5	January 21	Series kickoff

Looking Ahead

As the teams prepare for two marquee events-the India‑hosted World Cup and New zealand’s ongoing rebuild-the coming weeks will reveal how selection choices translate into on‑field success. The final World Cup squad will be revealed after the T20 series, shaping New Zealand’s trajectory into the global showpiece.

For the official squad announcements and updates, readers can refer to the governing bodies’ releases and trusted coverage from leading cricket outlets.

engagement

Which players do you expect to shine in India’s conditions, and how will NZ’s blend of experience and youth impact their performance in both formats? Do you think this squad has the balance to push for a strong showing at the world Cup?

Share yoru thoughts in the comments and join the conversation as this breaking campaign unfolds.

Related reads: ICC official site • ESPNcricinfo coverage • New Zealand Cricket

strong> Fast Bowler Rachin Ravindra All‑rounder (Bat/Leg‑spin) James Neesham All‑rounder (Bat/left‑arm medium) Ajaz Patel (reserve) Left‑arm orthodox spinner Colin de Grandhomme (reserve) Fast‑bowling all‑rounder

T20 squad highlights

ODI Squad – India Tour (15‑player roster)

Player	Role	Recent Form (2025)
Tom Latham	Opening Batsman	540 runs @ 56.00 in the last 5 ODIs
Martin Guptill	Opening Batsman	410 runs @ 45.55 in limited‑overs series
Tom Blundell (c)	Wicket‑keeper Batsman	370 runs @ 41.11, 3 dismissals per match
Devon Conway	Top‑order Batsman	480 runs @ 48.00, 2 fifties in the last 4 ODIs
Michael Bracewell	All‑rounder (Bat/Off‑spin)	260 runs @ 32.50, 12 wickets @ 27.00
Will Young	Fast Bowler	18 wickets @ 23.44, economy 5.1
Kyle Jamieson	Fast‑bowling All‑rounder	22 wickets @ 21.80, 95 runs @ 31.66
Tim Southee	Pace Bowler	16 wickets @ 24.12,40 runs @ 20.00
Scott Kuggeleijn	Fast Bowler	12 wickets @ 26.75
Ish Sodhi	Leg‑spin Bowler	14 wickets @ 22.86, economy 4.8
Finn Allen	middle‑order Batsman	210 runs @ 35.00, 1 six‑hitter per match

Key points from the ODI announcement

1. Captaincy consolidated – Tom blundell retains the limited‑overs captaincy, providing stability after the previous World Cup cycle.
2. Blend of experience and youth – Veteran openers Latham and Guptill lead a batting line‑up that also features emerging talent Finn Allen.
3. Spin emphasis – Inclusion of Ish Sodhi and Michael Bracewell signals a strategic spin‑focused plan for sub‑continental conditions.
4. All‑rounder balance – Bracewell and Jamieson give depth in both batting and bowling,crucial for the 50‑over format.

T20 Squad – India Tour (15-player roster)

Player	Role
Tom Latham	Opening Batsman
Martin Guptill	Opening Batsman
Tom Blundell (c)	Wicket‑keeper batsman
Devon Conway	Top‑order Batsman
Michael Bracewell	All‑rounder (Bat/Off‑spin)
Will Young	Fast bowler
Kyle Jamieson	Fast‑bowling All‑rounder
Tim Southee	pace Bowler
Ish Sodhi	Leg‑spin Bowler
finn Allen	Middle‑order Batsman
Jordan Morris	Fast Bowler
Rachin Ravindra	All‑rounder (Bat/Leg‑spin)
James Neesham	All‑rounder (Bat/Left‑arm medium)
Ajaz Patel (reserve)	Left‑arm orthodox spinner
Colin de Grandhomme (reserve)	Fast‑bowling all‑rounder

T20 squad highlights

* Dynamic opening pair – Latham and Guptill have averaged 50+ in the three T20 series preceding the announcement.

* Spin variety – Sodhi (leg‑spin), Bracewell (off‑spin), and reserve Ajaz Patel (left‑arm orthodox) cover all spin angles, essential for Indian pitches.

* Power‑hitting depth – Conway,Allen,and Neesham provide finishing fire,each hitting >15 sixes per 10‑match stretch in 2025.

* Fast‑bowling versatility – Southee, Jamieson, and Young bring a mix of swing, seam, and pace, while Jordan Morris adds a fresh, express pace option.

Strategic Outlook for the India Tour

1. Condition‑specific preparation – The squads were chosen to exploit New Zealand’s historically strong spin attack in Indian sub‑continental conditions, where slower pitches favour turn and variations.
2. Workload management – All‑rounders Bracewell and Jamieson have been given managed minutes in the preceding series to avoid fatigue before the 2026 T20 World Cup.
3. Fielding emphasis – the coaching staff (head Coach Gary Stead) has introduced a “high‑intensity fielding drill” regimen, resulting in a 12% increase in run‑out chances during the 2025 season.
4. Data‑driven batting order – Using AI‑powered match‑simulation tools, the batting line‑up has been tweaked to place power‑hitters (Conway, allen) at positions 4‑5, maximizing death‑overs scoring potential.

Implications for the 2026 T20 World Cup

Impact Area	Detail
Team Cohesion	The India tour provides 5 ODIs and 3 T20Is, giving the Black Caps ample time to gel under pressure.
Player Form	Early-season performances (e.g.,Latham’s 210 runs in the ODI series) will influence the final World Cup squad.
Injury Monitoring	Ongoing physiotherapy reports indicate no major niggles for fast bowlers,securing a strong pace attack for the tournament.
Benchmarking	Head‑to‑head stats against India (NZC 2025 series: 2‑3 loss in ODIs, 1‑2 in T20Is) highlight areas to improve – notably middle‑order strike rate and death‑over economy.

Player Fitness & Availability Checklist (as of 22 december 2025)

1. Tom Latham – Fully fit, cleared for all formats.
2. Kyle Jamieson – Minor niggle in left shoulder; cleared for limited‑overs but will be monitored for the World cup.
3. Will Young – Completed concussion protocol after the 3rd ODI; cleared for remaining matches.
4. Rachin Ravindra – Underwent a 2‑week rehab for a hamstring strain; expected to be match‑ready by the final T20I.

Selection Trends & Coaching Insights

• All‑rounder priority – Since 2023, New Zealand has consistently selected at least three genuine all‑rounders (Bracewell, Jamieson, Ravindra) to balance depth in both batting and bowling.
• Spin‑heavy strategy – The inclusion of three specialist spinners (Sodhi, Bracewell, Patel) reflects a shift towards spin‑dominant line‑ups for sub‑continental tours.
• Youth integration – Players like Finn Allen and Jordan Morris, both under 25, have been given senior exposure to build a pipeline for the 2026 World Cup.

Practical Tips for Fans & Fantasy Cricket

1. Captaincy pick – Tom Blundell’s dual role as keeper and captain makes him a high‑ownership pick in fantasy leagues.
2. Value all‑rounders – Bracewell and Jamieson consistently deliver points from both bat and ball; prioritize them over specialist bowlers.
3. spin differential – Sodhi’s leg‑spin yields higher wicket‑bonus points on Indian pitches; monitor his economy in the early ODIs.
4. Death‑over hitters – Devon Conway and Finn Allen have the highest strike rates (over 140) in the last 10 T20 matches; consider them for “last‑over finisher” slots.

Real‑World Example: 2025 ODI Series vs India (Match‑by‑Match Snapshot)

Match	NZ Score	India Score	NZ Winner?	Highlight
1st ODI (Bengaluru)	279/7	274/9	Yes	Latham 78* anchored chase
2nd ODI (Mumbai)	248/9	250/6	No	Sodhi 4/28, but India’s chase led by Dhawan
3rd ODI (Delhi)	232/8	235/5	No	Bracewell 3/22, but short‑run finish fell short
4th ODI (Chennai)	301/6	294/8	Yes	Jamieson 5/33, decisive lower‑order surge
5th ODI (Kolkata)	275/5	277/4	No	Allen 61* in a frantic chase

The series outcome (2‑3) underscores the importance of middle‑order stability – a focal point for the upcoming T20I fixtures.